Dave’s recovering well after ‘dying’ four times

A LIFEBOATMAN who ‘died’ four times on Lytham Club Day is recovering at home after a quadruple heart bypass – and already has his sights set on his public ‘comeback’ in a month’s time.

Dave Forshaw’s heart stopped briefly as he suffered a heart attack while taking part in the morning procession with RNLI colleagues.

He has been told by doctors that he also ‘died’ three times on the table after being sped to Blackpool Victoria Hospital by an ambulance dispatched from Wesham, as all Lytham vehicles were out on call.

“I am just so grateful to everyone who helped me,” said Dave, who underwent a quadruple heart bypass the following Thursday. “Everyone at the hospital was brilliant - the NHS really comes up trumps when it matters.

“I remember my vision blurring and having a sit down but there was no pain.

“I was very fortunate that the people with me on the RNLI float were all medically trained and thanks also to the others who helped. A nurse, Clare Walden, was passing at the time and she came to see me in hospital.”

David, who lives in Ansdell with his wife Susan, has been told to take it easy for a total of eight weeks before rehabilitation starts in earnest – but is determined to play some part in the RNLI open day next month.

“Even if I am just sitting in a corner greeting people, I would like to be there,” said Dave.

Now 64, father-of-three Dave is Lytham St Annes RNLI’s longest-serving crew member and is also determined that he has not made his last trip to sea.

“I am very hopeful of being able to carry on after recovery,” added Dave, a crew member since 1984.

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